Burton announced did not seek re-election in 2012.[1] According to a Politico article, Burton's 2012 primary was likely to be even more challenging than in 2010. Burton had been openly criticized by newspapers and local Indiana GOP groups in recent years.[2]

Biography

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Burton was born on June 21, 1938, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He graduated from Shortridge High School in 1957, and attended Indiana University and the Cincinnati Bible Seminary. Burton served in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserves from 1957-1962.[4]

U.S. House

2012

Specific votes

Fiscal Cliff

Burton did not cast a vote regarding the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. The bill was passed in the House by a 257 - 167 vote on January 1, 2013.[8]

Elections

2012

Burton initially declared his intent to run for re-election in the 2012 election for the U.S. House, representing Indiana's5th District[9] However, on January 31, 2012, Burton announced that he had withdrawn from the race and intended to retire after his term ended.[1] Burton indicated that he would retire because of personal health reasons.[2]Susan Brooks (R) defeated Scott Reske (D) and Chard Reid (L) in the general election.

Analysis

Congressional staff salaries

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Burton paid his congressional staff a total of $990,030 in 2011. He ranked 58th on the list of the highest paid Republican representative staff salaries and ranked 181st overall of the lowest paid representative staff salaries in 2011. Overall, Indiana ranked 35th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[17]

Net worth

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Burton's net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $1,118,019 and $2,520,000. That averages to $1,819,009.50, which was lower than the average net worth of Republican representatives in 2010 of $7,561,133.[18]